French authorities charge 7 with selling fake COVID-19 test results at airport

French officials said Friday that seven people have been charged with selling fraudulent coronavirus test results to passengers at Charles de Gaulle airport.

Authorities said six men and one woman were charged with forgery, use of forgery and complicity in fraud, The Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors said the testing certificates, which showed negative test results, were being sold to travelers for between $180 and $360.

The arrests stemmed from an investigation after authorities discovered a passenger on a September flight to Addis Ababa with a fake document claiming negative COVID-19 test results.

The suspects could face up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $445,000 if convicted.

France allows airline travelers to use Charles De Gaulle as long as they have an approved COVID-19 certificate showing they tested negative.

In late October, France imposed its second lockdown amid rising COVID-19 cases. Unlike the first lockdown, the government will allow schools to remain open and permit travel for work in some situations.